Barcelona to host Al Ahly in 61st Joan Gamper Trophy on 19 August, the first match at renovated Camp Nou

Barcelona have confirmed that Egyptian side Al Ahly will be the opponent for the traditional Joan Gamper Trophy match, set for 19 August at 20:00 at the Spotify Camp Nou. The fixture serves as the team's first home game of the new season and the official presentation of the squad to supporters.

Return to the Camp Nou

The Gamper Trophy returns to its historic home after a hiatus during which the stadium underwent redevelopment. The venue reopened on 22 November 2025. The three most recent editions were played elsewhere: the last, against Como 1907, took place at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, while the two before that, against AS Monaco and Tottenham Hotspur, were held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Al Ahly's profile

Al Ahly, founded in 1907 and based in Cairo, is the most decorated club in African football history and one of the most successful teams globally in terms of international titles. This will be the first time an Egyptian and an African club participates in the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Al Ahly will become the first Egyptian club and the first African team to take part in the Joan Gamper Trophy. Founded in 1907 and based in Cairo, it is the most decorated club in the history of African football and one of the entities with the most international titles in world football, with a track record spanning more than a century marked by sporting success and continental titles.

Historical meetings

The fixture revives a long-standing relationship. Barcelona and Al Ahly have met twice before, both in Cairo: a friendly in 1961 and a centenary celebration match in 2007. The upcoming Gamper will be the third encounter between the two clubs.

The club also stated that Al Ahly's participation reaffirms its international projection, making it the first representative of African football in the prestigious tournament.